Wildlife Detective

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Transcript of Wildlife Detective

Test Your Tracking Knowledge

Let's Start at the Beginning and finish as experts! The Science of Tracking The Science of Tracking! Animal Signs! Florida Tracks Beginner Intermediate Avid Expert What can we learn through tracking an animal? We Can Learn: What kind of animals live there How they behave How animals interact with each other (Hunting chasing) If different animals visit the same place If you find a track how can you figure out who left it? Study the Track: Look at the shape Look at the Size Look at the back and front feet are they different, the same? Look at the number of toes Look for claw, tail, or wing marks Think about where you found it How are tracks recorded? To Record or preserve a track a tracker can: Measure the track length, width, and space in between Draw pictures and make notes Make an imprint mold How can you become a tracker? All you have to do is: Go outside and observe Bring a paper and pencil to take notes Practice Ask Questions Beginner Intermediate Avid Expert How would you know if a rabbit lives in your backyard, if you never see it? Look for animal signs What are some signs that tell us if an animal is around? Chew or peck marks Scat (poop) Burrows, nest, dens Animal bones, feathers, or fur If you find signs of an animal what should you be careful of? Who might have looked for animal signs in the past? In the present? Native Americans Early Explorers Ranchers Wildlife Biologists Marine Biologists Beginner Intermediate Avid Expert Where can you look to find tracks? Everywhere You Go! Mud River Bank Snow Sand Soil Tracks and Trails In Florida, what types of animals might leave tracks that: 1. Have opposable thumbs?

2. Have front and hind paws that look like tiny hands?

3. Have partially webbed toes and leave tracks in groups of four?

4. Have 5 toes on front and hind feets and leave claw marks farther ahead of the front tracks?

5. Have three toes facing forward and one pointing behind?

6. Have Large heel pad with fur marks? Black Bear Raccoon River Otter Pelican Oppossum Skunk 1.Opposums have opposable Thumbs! 2. Raccoons paws look like tiny hands! 3. River Otters' toes are partially webbled and grouped in 4's! 4. Pelicans have 3 toes pointing forward and 1 facing backwards! 5. Skunks show claw marks ahead of their 5-toed front feet! 6. Bears have fuzzy feet and large heels! 1. 2. 3. Animal Track Clues Tracks could look like this Tracks may also look like this. What do you see? Study the Print...Which animal left which track?

Coyote or Bobcat Scats and other animal clues Beginner Intermediate Avid Expert Am I a Bobcat, a Black Bear, or a Raccoon if my scat is:

1. Filled with berries and wasp exoskeletons?

2. Tubular (you might see garbage)?

3. Segmented, with very litte bone and hair visible? Am I a River Otter, a Rabbit or a Coyote if my scat is:

1. Shaped like tiny balls and appears dry?

2. Dropped in the middle of a trail to mark my territory?

3. Dropped on tall river boulders? What animal made this mess? Nest or Drey Hull of a Bay Nut Tracks GRAY SQUIRREL Who has been visiting this pond? A Turtle and an Alligator! Now that you are experts, let's go tracking!